PAOLO DE STEFANI

Paolo De Stefani was born in 1969 in Chiavenna in the province of Sondrio where he continues to live and work. In the early nineties he undertook a series of independent painting courses in which he developed and fine-tuned his natural, early enthusiasm for the graphic arts.

The essentially figurative style that was to characterise his works of the early nineties gave way to an exploration always poised between the informal, arte povera (without the restraints of traditional practices and materials) and an abstract expressionism.

The beginning of the new millennium would coincide with a significant turning point in his research. His early works in 2000 involved the conspicuous superimposition of papers placed within wooden display cases. This particular route was to unfold as far as 2007/2008 with the consolidation of a sign-calligraphic aspect. And so began the cycle of pittosculpture using panels, predominantly Indian ink drawings and tempera on cropped paper fixed with nails. An experiment which would continue until 2015. The following 12 months would see a radical switch towards sculptures in iron; whilst alongside the very first substantial collages were being introduced.

Collaboration with the Franca Pezzoli contemporary art gallery of Clusone in the province of Bergamo was to prove crucial. And individual exhibitions at Albissola Marina, at Milan Spazio Santabarbara, Tirano at Palazzo Foppoli, at Chiavenna in the Palazzo Pretorio, Clusone in the Franca Pezzoli contemporary art gallery of Clusone (2009-2012-2014-2017), at Teglio in 2011, Vigevano Nuova Strada sotterranea del Castello in 2013 and in the Riss gallery at Samedan (Switzerland) in 2014. In 2016 at the new museum in Borgonuovo di Piuro Paolo he presented an exhibition entitled “Trascendenze-Sic Transit Plurs” curated by Salvatore La Vecchia on the very site of the 1618 landslide which destroyed the community. He has also featured in a wide range of joint exhibitions.